Rustled cows from Niger recovered in Lagos, Oyo

Niger State Police Command, yesterday, said that it has traced and arrested three suspects, allegedly involved in receiving and selling rustled cattle stolen from Ibeto, in Mariga Local Government Area of the state.

The cows were reportedly rustled recently from the community before being moved across state lines.

According to the Command, a criminal complaint was lodged on November 13, 2025, prompting operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Minna, to begin investigations. The operation led to the recovery of some of the stolen cows in Lagos and Oyo states.

The arrested suspects were identified as Naziru Mustapha, 25, of Ogbomoso, Oyo State; Husseini Abubakar, 30, of Mariga but residing in Ogbomoso; and Kabiru Magaji, 40, also of Mariga and residing in Ogbomoso. Police said all three were linked to the illicit cattle dealings.

“Naziru and Husseini are alleged receivers of the rustled cattle, in whose possession eight cows were found and verified by the rightful owners,” the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said.

He added that two other suspects, Bashar Sani and Ibrahim Tasiu, both from Mariga but based in the Ogbomoso area of Oyo State, are currently at large. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend them, while investigations continue to identify additional receivers and recover more stolen cattle.